Name: environmental modulations of the number of midbrain dopamine neurons in adult mice
Uploaded: 2015-01-20T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Environmental Modulations of the Number of Midbrain Dopamine Neurons in Adult Mice at JoVE.com

This study was supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC) Project grant 1022839. AJH is an Australian Research Council (ARC) FT3 Future Fellow (FT100100835). The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health acknowledges support from the Victorian Government&#8217;s Operational Infrastructure Support Grant.

NOTE: All experimental procedures on animals were approved by the Florey Institute of Neuroscience &#38; Mental Health Animal Ethics Committee and conform to Australia&#8217;s National Health and Medical Research Council published code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes (7th edition, 2004).
1. Environmental Manipulations
<ol>
	<li>Gender Pairing
	<ol>
		<li>Use sexually mature (&#62;8 week old), age-matched male and female mice. 
		NOTE: We ty...

<ol>
	<li>Aumann, T., Horne, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Activity-dependent+regulation+of+the+dopamine+phenotype+in+substantia+nigra+neurons.">Activity-dependent regulation of the dopamine phenotype in substantia nigra neurons.</a> Journal of neurochemistry. 121, 497-515 (2012).</li><li>Sauer, H., Oertel, W. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Progressive+degeneration+of+nigrostriatal+dopamine+neurons+following+intrastriatal+terminal+lesions+with+6-hydroxydopamine:+a+combined+retrograde+tracing+and+immunocytochemical+study+in+the+rat.">Progressive degeneration of nigrostriatal dopamine neurons following intrastriatal terminal lesions with 6-hydroxydopamine: a combined retrograde tracing and immunocytochemical study in the rat.</a> Neuroscience. 59, 401-415 (1994).</li><li>Stanic, D., Finkelstein, D. I., Bourke, D. W., Drago, J., Horne, M. 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D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=SK+channel+function+regulates+the+dopamine+phenotype+of+neurons+in+the+substantia+nigra+pars+compacta.">SK channel function regulates the dopamine phenotype of neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta.</a> Experimental neurology. 213, 419-430 (2008).</li><li>Aumann, T. D., Tomas, D., Horne, M. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Environmental+and+behavioral+modulation+of+the+number+of+substantia+nigra+dopamine+neurons+in+adult+mice.">Environmental and behavioral modulation of the number of substantia nigra dopamine neurons in adult mice.</a> Brain and behavior. 3, 617-625 (2013).</li><li>Paxinos, G., Franklin, K. B. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> The mouse brain in stereotaxic coordinates. , (2001).</li><li>Schultz, W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Behavioral+dopamine+signals.">Behavioral dopamine signals.</a> Trends in neurosciences. 30, 203-210 (2007).</li><li>Sun, P., Smith, A. S., Lei, K., Liu, Y., Wang, Z. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Breaking+bonds+in+male+prairie+vole:+long-term+effects+on+emotional+and+social+behavior,+physiology,+and+neurochemistry.">Breaking bonds in male prairie vole: long-term effects on emotional and social behavior, physiology, and neurochemistry.</a> Behavioural brain research. 265, 22-31 (2014).</li><li>Aponso, P. M., Faull, R. L., Connor, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Increased+progenitor+cell+proliferation+and+astrogenesis+in+the+partial+progressive+6-hydroxydopamine+model+of+Parkinson's+disease.">Increased progenitor cell proliferation and astrogenesis in the partial progressive 6-hydroxydopamine model of Parkinson's disease.</a> Neuroscience. 151, 1142-1153 (2008).</li><li>Frielingsdorf, H., Schwarz, K., Brundin, P., Mohapel, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=No+evidence+for+new+dopaminergic+neurons+in+the+adult+mammalian+substantia+nigra.">No evidence for new dopaminergic neurons in the adult mammalian substantia nigra.</a> Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 101, 10177-10182 (2004).</li><li>Lie, D. C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+adult+substantia+nigra+contains+progenitor+cells+with+neurogenic+potential.">The adult substantia nigra contains progenitor cells with neurogenic potential.</a> The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience. 22, 6639-6649 (2002).</li><li>Chen, Y., Ai, Y., Slevin, J. R., Maley, B. E., Gash, D. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Progenitor+proliferation+in+the+adult+hippocampus+and+substantia+nigra+induced+by+glial+cell+line-derived+neurotrophic+factor.">Progenitor proliferation in the adult hippocampus and substantia nigra induced by glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor.</a> Experimental neurology. 196, 87-95 (2005).</li><li>Yoshimi, K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Possibility+for+neurogenesis+in+substantia+nigra+of+parkinsonian+brain.">Possibility for neurogenesis in substantia nigra of parkinsonian brain.</a> Ann Neurol. 58, 31-40 (2005).</li><li>Shan, X., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Enhanced+de+novo+neurogenesis+and+dopaminergic+neurogenesis+in+the+substantia+nigra+of+1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced+Parkinson's+disease-like+mice.">Enhanced de novo neurogenesis and dopaminergic neurogenesis in the substantia nigra of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced Parkinson's disease-like mice.</a> Stem Cells. 24, 1280-1287 (2006).</li><li>Zhao, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Evidence+for+neurogenesis+in+the+adult+mammalian+substantia+nigra.">Evidence for neurogenesis in the adult mammalian substantia nigra.</a> Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 100, 7925-7930 (2003).</li><li>Baker, H., Kawano, T., Margolis, F. L., Joh, T. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Transneuronal+regulation+of+tyrosine+hydroxylase+expression+in+olfactory+bulb+of+mouse+and+rat.">Transneuronal regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase expression in olfactory bulb of mouse and rat.</a> The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience. 3, 69-78 (1983).</li><li>Black, I. B., Chikaraishi, D. M., Lewis, E. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Trans-synaptic+increase+in+RNA+coding+for+tyrosine+hydroxylase+in+a+rat+sympathetic+ganglion.">Trans-synaptic increase in RNA coding for tyrosine hydroxylase in a rat sympathetic ganglion.</a> Brain research. 339, 151-153 (1985).</li><li>Zigmond, R. E., Chalazonitis, A., Joh, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Preganglionic+nerve+stimulation+increases+the+amount+of+tyrosine+hydroxylase+in+the+rat+superior+cervical+ganglion.">Preganglionic nerve stimulation increases the amount of tyrosine hydroxylase in the rat superior cervical ganglion.</a> Neuroscience letters. 20, 61-65 (1980).</li><li>Biguet, N. F., Rittenhouse, A. R., Mallet, J., Zigmond, R. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Preganglionic+nerve+stimulation+increases+mRNA+levels+for+tyrosine+hydroxylase+in+the+rat+superior+cervical+ganglion.">Preganglionic nerve stimulation increases mRNA levels for tyrosine hydroxylase in the rat superior cervical ganglion.</a> Neuroscience letters. 104, 189-194 (1989).</li><li>Richard, F., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Modulation+of+tyrosine+hydroxylase+gene+expression+in+rat+brain+and+adrenals+by+exposure+to+cold.">Modulation of tyrosine hydroxylase gene expression in rat brain and adrenals by exposure to cold.</a> Journal of neuroscience research. 20, 32-37 (1988).</li><li>Schalling, M., Stieg, P. E., Lindquist, C., Goldstein, M., Hokfelt, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Rapid+increase+in+enzyme+and+peptide+mRNA+in+sympathetic+ganglia+after+electrical+stimulation+in+humans.">Rapid increase in enzyme and peptide mRNA in sympathetic ganglia after electrical stimulation in humans.</a> Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 86, 4302-4305 (1989).</li><li>Liaw, J. J., He, J. R., Barraclough, C. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Temporal+changes+in+tyrosine+hydroxylase+mRNA+levels+in+A1,+A2+and+locus+ceruleus+neurons+following+electrical+stimulation+of+A1+noradrenergic+neurons.">Temporal changes in tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA levels in A1, A2 and locus ceruleus neurons following electrical stimulation of A1 noradrenergic neurons.</a> Brain research. Molecular brain research. 13, 171-174 (1992).</li><li>Watabe-Uchida, M., Zhu, L., Ogawa, S. K., Vamanrao, A., Uchida, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Whole-brain+mapping+of+direct+inputs+to+midbrain+dopamine+neurons.">Whole-brain mapping of direct inputs to midbrain dopamine neurons.</a> Neuron. 74, 858-873 (2012).</li><li>Tepper, J. M., Lee, C. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=GABAergic+control+of+substantia+nigra+dopaminergic+neurons.">GABAergic control of substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons.</a> Progress in brain research. 160, 189-208 (2007).</li><li>Hannan, A. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Environmental+enrichment+and+brain+repair:+harnessing+the+therapeutic+effects+of+cognitive+stimulation+and+physical+activity+to+enhance+experience-dependent+plasticity.">Environmental enrichment and brain repair: harnessing the therapeutic effects of cognitive stimulation and physical activity to enhance experience-dependent plasticity.</a> Neuropathology and applied neurobiology. 40, 13-25 (2014).</li><li>Nithianantharajah, J., Hannan, A. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Enriched+environments,+experience-dependent+plasticity+and+disorders+of+the+nervous+system.">Enriched environments, experience-dependent plasticity and disorders of the nervous system.</a> Nature reviews. Neuroscience. 7, 697-709 (2006).</li><li>Chmiel, D. J., Noonan, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Preference+of+laboratory+rats+for+potentially+enriching+stimulus+objects.">Preference of laboratory rats for potentially enriching stimulus objects.</a> Laboratory animals. 30, 97-101 (1996).</li><li>Hanmer, L. A., Riddell, P. M., Williams, C. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Using+a+runway+paradigm+to+assess+the+relative+strength+of+rats'+motivations+for+enrichment+objects.">Using a runway paradigm to assess the relative strength of rats' motivations for enrichment objects.</a> Behavior research methods. 42, 517-524 (2010).</li><li>Burrows, E. L., McOmish, C. E., Hannan, A. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Gene-environment+interactions+and+construct+validity+in+preclinical+models+of+psychiatric+disorders.">Gene-environment interactions and construct validity in preclinical models of psychiatric disorders.</a> Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology &amp; biological psychiatry. 35, 1376-1382 (2011).</li><li>Van de Weerd, H. A., Van Loo, P. L. P., Van Zutphen, L. F. M., Koolhaas, J. 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Environmental manipulations
The motivation behind the design of these environmental manipulations (gender pairing and environmental enrichment) was to determine whether the environment, and/or behavior prompted by the environment, is associated with changes in the number of midbrain DA neurons. The focus was therefore on providing environments and stimulating behaviors that are likely to engage midbrain DA signaling. These included pairing with the opposite gender, and environmental e...

DArgic signaling by neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) of the midbrain is thought to be important for reward-motivated cognitive, emotive and motor behaviors. However, too much or too little midbrain DA signaling causes many disabling symptoms in a variety of neurological disorders (e.g. Parkinson&#8217;s disease, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, and drug addiction). Drugs that increase or decrease DA signaling alleviate these symptoms, however they also produce side-effects attributable to dysregulated signaling and off-target effects. Drug efficacy also declines over time due to compensatory responses of the brain. The challenge therefore is to restore normal midbrain DA signaling in a more targeted and physiological way, and a favored approach is by increasing or decreasing the number of midbrain DA neurons.
Evidence has been accumulating for several decades that the expression of genes and proteins involved in metabolizing and trafficking DA and other catecholamines in mature adult cells is modifiable (reviewed in1). In midbrain, the number of tyrosine hydroxylase immunopositive (TH+, the rate-limiting enzyme in DA synthesis) neurons decreases then increases following neurotoxin administration2,3, while the number of TH immunonegative (TH-) neurons shows the opposite pattern (i.e. increases then decreases3). This is consistent with loss then gain of the &#8216;DA phenotype&#8217; by some cells. The number of TH+ and TH- SNc neurons has also been shown to change in equal but opposite directions following various treatments that alter the electrical activity of these cells4,5. For example, infusion of the small-conductance, calcium-activated potassium (SK) channel antagonist apamin into midbrain for 2 weeks decreases the number of TH+ and increases (by the same amount) the number of TH- SNc neurons4,5. In contrast, infusion of the SK channel agonist 1-EBIO increases the number of TH+ and decreases (by the same amount) the number of TH- SNc neurons4,5. Similar changes were seen following a variety of treatments targeting SNc neuronal activity, including some which targeted afferent inputs4. This apparent regulation of the number of SNc DArgic neurons by neuronal activity and afferent input raises the possibility that the environment or behavior can influence the number of SNc neurons. Indeed adult mice exposed to different environments have more or less midbrain (SNc and VTA) TH+ neurons, and at least some of these environment-induced changes are abolished by concurrent blockade of synaptic input in midbrain6. The aims of this communication are to: (1) provide further details about how to implement our environmental manipulations and drug infusions; and (2) provide further data supporting our contention that the environment regulates the number of midbrain DA neurons, via afferent input.

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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:379px;">Name of Material/ Equipment</td>
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			<td style="width:167px;">Comments/Description</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:379px;">Isofluorane</td>
			<td style="width:636px;">Baxter Healthcare Pty Ltd, Baxter Drive, NSW 2146, Australia</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:379px;">ALZET Osmotic pump 1002</td>
			<td style="width:636px;">DURECT Corporation, PO Box 530 Cupertino, CA 95015-0530</td>
			<td>0004317</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:379px;">ALZET Brain infusion kit 1</td>
			<td style="width:636px;">DURECT Corporation, PO Box 530 Cupertino, CA 95015-0530</td>
			<td>0004760</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:379px;">ALZET cannula holder 1</td>
			<td style="width:636px;">DURECT Corporation, PO Box 530 Cupertino, CA 95015-0530</td>
			<td>0008860</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:379px;">Vertex Monomer Self-curing (dental acrylic solvent)</td>
			<td>Vertex Dental, Postbus 10, 3700 AA ZEIST, The Netherlands</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:379px;">Vertex Self Curing (dental acrylic powder)</td>
			<td>Vertex Dental, Postbus 10, 3700 AA ZEIST, The Netherlands</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">n/a</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:379px;">METACAM (Meloxicam)</td>
			<td>Troy Laboratories, 98 long Street, smithfield NSW 2164 Australia</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:379px;">Sodium Pentobarbitone</td>
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			<td>chemicon-temecula, CA</td>
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			<td>Merck Millipore Headquarters&#160;, 290 Concord road, Billerica, MA 01821</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">1.08603.1000</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:379px;">Polyclonal rabbit anti-tyrosine hydroxylase</td>
			<td>Merck Millipore Headquarters&#160;, 290 Concord road, Billerica, MA 01821</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">AB152</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Polyclonal biotinylated goat anti-rabbit</td>
			<td>Dako Australia Pty. Ltd., Suite 4, Level 4, 56 Berry street, North Sydney, NSW, Australia 2060</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">EO432</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Avidin peroxidase</td>
			<td>Sigma-aldrich, Castle Hill, NSW 1765 AU</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">A3151-1mg</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Diamino-benzidine</td>
			<td>Sigma-aldrich, Castle Hill, NSW 1765 AU</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">D-5637</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Stereo Investigator</td>
			<td>MicroBrightField Bioscience, 185 Allen Brook Lane, Suite 101, Williston, VT 05495</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">n/a</td>
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environmental modulations of the number of midbrain dopamine neurons in adult mice

Long-lasting changes in the brain or &#8216;brain plasticity&#8217; underlie adaptive behavior and brain repair following disease or injury. Furthermore, interactions with our environment can induce brain plasticity. Increasingly, research is trying to identify which environments stimulate brain plasticity beneficial for treating brain and behavioral disorders. Two environmental manipulations are described which increase or decrease the number of tyrosine hydroxylase immunopositive (TH+, the rate-limiting enzyme in dopamine (DA) synthesis) neurons in the adult mouse midbrain. The first comprises pairing male and female mice together continuously for 1 week, which increases midbrain TH+ neurons by approximately 12% in males, but decreases midbrain TH+ neurons by approximately 12% in females. The second comprises housing mice continuously for 2 weeks in &#8216;enriched environments&#8217; (EE) containing running wheels, toys, ropes, nesting material, etc., which increases midbrain TH+ neurons by approximately 14% in males. Additionally, a protocol is described for concurrently infusing drugs directly into the midbrain during these environmental manipulations to help identify mechanisms underlying environmentally-induced brain plasticity. For example, EE-induction of more midbrain TH+ neurons is abolished by concurrent blockade of synaptic input onto midbrain neurons. Together, these data indicate that information about the environment is relayed via synaptic input to midbrain neurons to switch on or off expression of &#8216;DA&#8217; genes. Thus, appropriate environmental stimulation, or drug targeting of the underlying mechanisms, might be helpful for treating brain and behavioral disorders associated with imbalances in midbrain DA (e.g. Parkinson&#8217;s disease, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, and drug addiction).

Adult mice subjected to these environmental manipulations have altered numbers of midbrain (SNc and VTA), but not LC, TH+ neurons, and EE plus concurrent midbrain infusion of either picrotoxin or bicuculline (GABAA receptor antagonists) abolishes EE-induction of more SNc TH+ neurons. These data were previously published in6. The present data were compiled in replicate experiments performed as part of that previous study, but have not been published elsewhere.
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Environmental Modulations of the Number of Midbrain Dopamine Neurons in Adult Mice

This protocol describes two different environmental manipulations and a concurrent brain infusion protocol to study environmentally-induced brain changes underlying adaptive behavior and brain repair in adult mice.

Long-lasting changes in the brain or &#8216;brain plasticity&#8217; underlie adaptive behavior and brain repair following disease or injury. Furthermore, ...

environmental-modulations-number-midbrain-dopamine-neurons-adult

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

Application of a NMDA Receptor Conductance in Rat Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons Using the Dynamic Clamp Technique

Neuroscientists study the function of the brain by investigating how neurons in the brain communicate. Many investigators look at changes in the electrical activity of one or more neurons in response to an experimentally-controlled input. The electrical activity of neurons can be recorded in isolated brain slices using patch clamp techniques with glass micropipettes. Traditionally, experimenters can mimic neuronal input by direct injection of current through the pipette, electrical stimulation of the other cells or remaining axonal connections in the slice, or pharmacological manipulation by receptors located on the neuronal membrane of the recorded cell.
Direct current injection has the advantages of passing a predetermined current waveform with high temporal precision at the site of the recording (usually the soma). However, it does not change the resistance of the neuronal membrane as no ion channels are physically opened. Current injection usually employs rectangular pulses and thus does not model the kinetics of ion channels. Finally, current injection cannot mimic the chemical changes in the cell that occurs with the opening of ion channels.
Receptors can be physically activated by electrical or pharmacological stimulation. The experimenter has good temporal precision of receptor activation with electrical stimulation of the slice. However, there is limited spatial precision of receptor activation and the exact nature of what is activated upon stimulation is unknown. This latter problem can be partially alleviated by specific pharmacological agents. Unfortunately, the time course of activation of pharmacological agents is typically slow and the spatial precision of inputs onto the recorded cell is unknown.
The dynamic clamp technique allows an experimenter to change the current passed directly into the cell based on real-time feedback of the membrane potential of the cell (Robinson and Kawai 1993, Sharp et al., 1993a,b; for review, see Prinz et al. 2004). This allows an experimenter to mimic the electrical changes that occur at the site of the recording in response to activation of a receptor. Real-time changes in applied current are determined by a mathematical equation implemented in hardware.
We have recently used the dynamic clamp technique to investigate the generation of bursts of action potentials by phasic activation of NMDA receptors in dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta (Deister et al., 2009; Lobb et al., 2010). In this video, we demonstrate the procedures needed to apply a NMDA receptor conductance into a dopaminergic neuron.

In this video, we demonstrate how to apply a conductance into a dopaminergic neuron recorded in the whole cell configuration in rat brain slices. This technique is called the dynamic clamp.

Neuroscientists study the function of the brain by investigating how neurons in the brain communicate. Many investigators look at changes in the ...

Studying the Integration of Adult-born Neurons

Neurogenesis occurs in adult mammalian brains in the sub-ventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricle and in the sub-granular zone (SGZ) of the hippocampal dentate gyrus throughout life. Previous reports have shown that adult hippocampal neurogenesis is associated with diverse brain disorders, including epilepsy, schizophrenia, depression and anxiety (1). Deciphering the process of normal and aberrant adult-born neuron integration may shed light on the etiology of these diseases and inform the development of new therapies.
SGZ adult neurogenesis mirrors embryonic and post-natal neuronal development, including stages of fate specification, migration, synaptic integration, and maturation. However, full integration occurs over a prolonged, 6-week period. Initial synaptic input to adult-born SGZ dentate granule cells (DGCs) is GABAergic, followed by glutamatergic input at 14 days (2). The specific factors which regulate circuit formation of adult-born neurons in the dentate gyrus are currently unknown.
Our laboratory uses a replication-deficient retroviral vector based on the Moloney murine leukemia virus to deliver fluorescent proteins and hypothesized regulatory genes to these proliferating cells. This viral technique provides high specificity and resolution for analysis of cell birth date, lineage, morphology, and synaptogenesis.
A typical experiment often employs two or three viruses containing unique label, transgene, and promoter elements for single-cell analysis of a desired developmental process in vivo. The following protocol describes a method for analyzing functional newborn neuron integration using a single green (GFP) or red (dTomato) fluorescent protein retrovirus and patch-clamp electrophysiology.

A way to study the integration of newborn dentate granule cells in adult animals is described. This technique uses an engineered retrovirus to label newborn neurons, followed by electrophysiological recordings to determine in vivo functional integration.

Neurogenesis occurs in adult mammalian brains in the sub-ventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricle and in the sub-granular zone (SGZ) of the ...

An In-vitro Preparation of Isolated Enteric Neurons and Glia from the Myenteric Plexus of the Adult Mouse

The enteric nervous system is a vast network of neurons and glia running the length of the gastrointestinal tract that functionally controls gastrointestinal motility. A procedure for the isolation and culture of a mixed population of neurons and glia from the myenteric plexus is described. The primary cultures can be maintained for over 7 days, with connections developing among the neurons and glia. The longitudinal muscle strip with the attached myenteric plexus is stripped from the underlying circular muscle of the mouse ileum or colon and subjected to enzymatic digestion. In sterile conditions, the isolated neuronal and glia population are preserved within the pellet following centrifugation and plated on coverslips. Within 24-48 hr, neurite outgrowth occurs and neurons can be identified by pan-neuronal markers. After two days in culture, isolated neurons fire action potentials as observed by patch clamp studies. Furthermore, enteric glia can also be identified by GFAP staining. A network of neurons and glia in close apposition forms within 5 - 7 days. Enteric neurons can be individually and directly studied using methods such as immunohistochemistry, electrophysiology, calcium imaging, and single-cell PCR. Furthermore, this procedure can be performed in genetically modified animals. This methodology is simple to perform and inexpensive. Overall, this protocol exposes the components of the enteric nervous system in an easily manipulated manner so that we may better discover the functionality of the ENS in normal and disease states.

An In-vitro Preparation of Isolated Enteric Neurons and Glia from the Myenteric Plexus of the Adult Mouse

We demonstrate a cell culture protocol for the direct study of neuronal and glial components of the enteric nervous system. A neuron/glia mixed culture on coverslips is prepared from the myenteric plexus of adult mouse providing the ability to examine individual neuron and glia function by electrophysiology, immunohistochemical, etc.

The enteric nervous system is a vast network of neurons and glia running the length of the gastrointestinal tract that functionally controls ...

Membrane Potential Dye Imaging of Ventromedial Hypothalamus Neurons From Adult Mice to Study Glucose Sensing

Studies of neuronal activity are often performed using neurons from rodents less than 2 months of age due to the technical difficulties associated with increasing connective tissue and decreased neuronal viability that occur with age. Here, we describe a methodology for the dissociation of healthy hypothalamic neurons from adult-aged mice. The ability to study neurons from adult-aged mice allows the use of disease models that manifest at a later age and might be more developmentally accurate for certain studies. Fluorescence imaging of dissociated neurons can be used to study the activity of a population of neurons, as opposed to using electrophysiology to study a single neuron. This is particularly useful when studying a heterogeneous neuronal population in which the desired neuronal type is rare such as for hypothalamic glucose sensing neurons. We utilized membrane potential dye imaging of adult ventromedial hypothalamic neurons to study their responses to changes in extracellular glucose. Glucose sensing neurons are believed to play a role in central regulation of energy balance. The ability to study glucose sensing in adult rodents is particularly useful since the predominance of diseases related to dysfunctional energy balance (e.g.&#160;obesity) increase with age.

The activity of single neurons from adult-aged mice can be studied by dissociating neurons from specific brain regions and using fluorescent membrane potential dye imaging. By testing responses to changes in glucose, this technique can be used to study the glucose sensitivity of adult ventromedial hypothalamic neurons.

Studies of neuronal activity are often performed using neurons from rodents less than 2 months of age due to the technical difficulties associated with ...

Lineage-reprogramming of Pericyte-derived Cells of the Adult Human Brain into Induced Neurons

Direct lineage-reprogramming of non-neuronal cells into induced neurons (iNs) may provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying neurogenesis and enable new strategies for in vitro modeling or repairing the diseased brain. Identifying brain-resident non-neuronal cell types amenable to direct conversion into iNs might allow for launching such an approach in situ, i.e. within the damaged brain tissue. Here we describe a protocol developed in the attempt of identifying cells derived from the adult human brain that fulfill this premise. This protocol involves: (1) the culturing of human cells from the cerebral cortex obtained from adult human brain biopsies; (2) the in vitro expansion (approximately requiring 2-4 weeks) and characterization of the culture by immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry; (3) the enrichment by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) using anti-PDGF receptor-&#946; and anti-CD146 antibodies; (4) the retrovirus-mediated transduction with the neurogenic transcription factors sox2 and ascl1; (5) and finally the characterization of the resultant pericyte-derived induced neurons (PdiNs) by immunocytochemistry (14 days to 8 weeks following retroviral transduction). At this stage, iNs can be probed for their electrical properties by patch-clamp recording. This protocol provides a highly reproducible procedure for the in vitro lineage conversion of brain-resident pericytes into functional human iNs.

Targeting brain-resident cells for direct lineage-reprogramming offers new perspectives for brain repair. Here we describe a protocol of how to prepare cultures enriched for brain-resident pericytes from the adult human cerebral cortex and convert these into induced neurons by retrovirus-mediated expression of the transcription factors Sox2 and Ascl1.

Direct lineage-reprogramming of non-neuronal cells into induced neurons (iNs) may provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying neurogenesis ...

Laser Capture Microdissection - A Demonstration of the Isolation of Individual Dopamine Neurons and the Entire Ventral Tegmental Area

Laser capture microdissection (LCM) is used to isolate a concentrated population of individual cells or precise anatomical regions of tissue from tissue sections on a microscope slide. When combined with immunohistochemistry, LCM can be used to isolate individual cells types based on a specific protein marker. Here, the LCM technique is described for collecting a specific population of dopamine neurons directly labeled with&#160;tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry and for isolation of the dopamine neuron containing region of the ventral tegmental area using indirect tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry on a section adjacent to those used for LCM. An infrared (IR) capture laser is used to both dissect individual neurons as well as the ventral tegmental area off glass slides and onto an LCM cap for analysis. Complete dehydration of the tissue with 100% ethanol and xylene is critical. The combination of the IR capture laser and the ultraviolet (UV) cutting laser is used to isolate individual dopamine neurons or the ventral tegmental area when using PEN membrane slides. A PEN membrane slide has significant advantages over a glass slide as it offers better consistency in capturing and collecting cells, is faster collecting large pieces of tissue, is less reliant on dehydration and results in complete removal of the tissue from the slide. Although removal of large areas of tissue from a glass slide is feasible, it is considerably more time consuming and frequently leaves some residual tissue behind. Data shown here demonstrate that RNA of sufficient quantity and quality can be obtained using these procedures for quantitative PCR measurements. Although RNA and DNA are the most commonly isolated molecules from tissue and cells collected with LCM, isolation and measurement of microRNA, protein and epigenetic changes in DNA can also benefit from the enhanced anatomical and cellular resolution obtained using LCM.

The isolation of individual dopamine neurons or the ventral tegmental area with direct or indirect immunohistochemistry is demonstrated using laser capture microdissection. Parameters for isolation of tissue from a glass slide using an infrared laser and from membrane slides using the combination of an infrared and ultraviolet laser are discussed.

Laser capture microdissection (LCM) is used to isolate a concentrated population of individual cells or precise anatomical regions of tissue from tissue ...

Subcellular Patch-clamp Recordings from the Somatodendritic Domain of Nigral Dopamine Neurons

Dendrites of dopaminergic neurons receive and convey synaptic input, support action potential back-propagation and neurotransmitter release. Understanding these fundamental functions will shed light on the information transfer in these neurons. Dendritic patch-clamp recordings provide the possibility to directly examine the electrical properties of dendrites and underlying voltage-gated ion channels. However, these fine structures are not easily accessible to patch pipettes because of their small diameter. This report describes a step-by-step procedure to collect stable and reliable recordings from the dendrites of dopaminergic neurons in acute slices. Electrophysiological measurements are combined with post hoc recovery of cell morphology. Successful experiments rely on improved preparation of slices, solutions and pipettes, adequate adjustment of the optics and stability of the pipette in contact with the recorded structure. Standard principles of somatic patch-clamp recording are applied to dendrites but with a gentler approach of the pipette. These versatile techniques can be implemented to address various questions concerning the excitable properties of dendrites.

Subcellular patch-clamp recordings offer the possibility to investigate the functional properties of dendrites. However these fine structures are not easily accessible due to their small diameter. The protocol described here aims to facilitate the collection of stable and reliable recordings from the dendrites of dopamine neurons in slices in vitro.

Dendrites of dopaminergic neurons receive and convey synaptic input, support action potential back-propagation and neurotransmitter release. Understanding ...

Quantification of Endosome and Lysosome Motilities in Cultured Neurons Using Fluorescent Probes

In the brain, membrane trafficking systems play important roles in regulating neuronal functions, such as neuronal morphology, synaptic plasticity, survival, and glial communications. To date, numerous studies have reported that defects in these systems cause various neuronal diseases. Thus, understanding the mechanisms underlying vesicle dynamics may provide influential clues that could aid in the treatment of several neuronal disorders. Here, we describe a method for quantifying vesicle motilities, such as motility distance and rate of movement, using a software plug-in for the ImageJ platform. To obtain images for quantification, we labeled neuronal endosome-lysosome structures with EGFP-tagged vesicle marker proteins and observed the movement of vesicles using a time-lapse microscopy. This method is highly useful and simplify measuring vesicle motility in neurites, such as axons and dendrites, as well as in the soma of both neurons and glial cells. Furthermore, this method can be applied to other cell lines, such as fibroblasts and endothelial cells. This approach could provide a valuable advancement of our understanding of membrane trafficking.

The investigation of membrane trafficking is crucial for understanding neuronal functions. Here, we introduce a method for quantifying vesicle motility in neurons. This is a convenient method that can be adapted to the quantification of membrane trafficking in the nervous system.

In the brain, membrane trafficking systems play important roles in regulating neuronal functions, such as neuronal morphology, synaptic plasticity, ...

Assessment of Dopaminergic Homeostasis in Mice by Use of High-performance Liquid Chromatography Analysis and Synaptosomal Dopamine Uptake

Dopamine (DA) is a modulatory neurotransmitter controlling motor activity, reward processes and cognitive function. Impairment of dopaminergic (DAergic) neurotransmission is strongly associated with several central nervous system-associated diseases such as Parkinson&#39;s disease, attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder and drug addiction1,2,3,4. Delineating disease mechanisms involving DA imbalance is critically dependent on animal models to mimic aspects of the diseases, and thus protocols that assess specific parts of the DA homeostasis are important to provide novel insights and possible therapeutic targets for these diseases.
Here, we present two useful experimental protocols that when combined provide a functional read-out of the DAergic system in mice. Biochemical and functional parameters on DA homeostasis are obtained through assessment of DA levels and dopamine transporter (DAT) functionality5. When investigating the DA system, the ability to reliably measure endogenous levels of DA from adult brain is essential. Therefore, we present how to perform high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on brain tissue from mice to determine levels of DA. We perform the experiment on tissue from dorsal striatum (dStr) and nucleus accumbens (NAc), but the method is also suitable for other DA-innervated brain areas.
DAT is essential for reuptake of DA into the presynaptic terminal, thereby controlling the temporal and spatial activity of released DA. Knowing the levels and functionality of DAT in the striatum is of major importance when assessing DA homeostasis. Here, we provide a protocol that allows to simultaneously deduce information on surface levels and function using a synaptosomal6 DA uptake assay.
Current methods combined with standard immunoblotting protocols provide the researcher with relevant tools to characterize the DAergic system.

Synaptosomal dopamine uptake and high-performance liquid chromatography analysis represent experimental tools to investigate dopamine homeostasis in mice by assessing the function of the dopamine transporter and levels of dopamine in striatal tissue, respectively. Here we present protocols to measure dopamine tissue content and assess the functionality of the dopamine transporter.

Dopamine (DA) is a modulatory neurotransmitter controlling motor activity, reward processes and cognitive function. Impairment of dopaminergic (DAergic) ...

Use of Synaptic Zinc Histochemistry to Reveal Different Regions and Laminae in the Developing and Adult Brain

Characterization of anatomical and functional brain organization and development requires accurate identification of distinct neural circuits and regions in the immature and adult brain. Here we describe a zinc histochemical staining procedure that reveals differences in staining patterns among different layers and brain regions. Others have utilized this procedure not only to reveal the distribution of zinc-containing neurons and circuits in the brain, but also to successfully delineate areal and laminar boundaries in the developing and adult brain in several species. Here we illustrate this staining procedure with images from developing and adult ferret brains. We reveal a zinc-staining pattern that serves as an anatomical marker of areas and layers, and can be reliably used to distinguish visual cortical areas in the developing and adult visual cortex. The main goal of this protocol is to present a histochemical method that allows the accurate identification of layers and regions in the developing and adult brain where other methods fail to do so. Secondarily, in conjunction with densitometric image analysis, this method allows one to assess the distribution of synaptic zinc to reveal potential changes throughout development. This protocol describes in detail the reagents, tools, and steps necessary to successively stain frozen brain sections. Although this protocol is described using ferret brain tissue, it can easily be adapted for use in rodents, cats, or monkeys as well as in other brain regions.

We describe a histochemical procedure that reveals characteristic laminar and areal zinc staining patterns in different brain regions. The zinc-staining pattern may be used in conjunction with other anatomical markers to reliably distinguish layers and regions in the developing and adult brain.

Characterization of anatomical and functional brain organization and development requires accurate identification of distinct neural circuits and regions ...